Sebastian Vettel achieved yet another career landmark when he beat Michael Schumacher’s record to become the first man to win eight straight races in a season.
Alberto Ascari won nine times in a row over 1952-’53, but until today nobody has won more than seven consecutively in a single season. The achievement clearly meant a lot to the German ace.
“I think it’s one of those records that you never expect to be beaten, so it’s very difficult to find the right words,” said Vettel. “I didn’t really answer the questions the last couple of days because at the end of the day what makes me jump into the car is not a certain number. But certainly today, when you realise that you’ve done it, it makes you very proud in that moment and, yeah, I think it’s very difficult for all of us to realise what it actually means. If you look back, and if you look those names who had similar records or outstanding performances in the past, I think it’s impossible to understand.
“People look back and they talk about that time and about certain drivers and one day people might look back and talk about our time and what we’ve done as a team. I said it on the team radio, the spirit is fantastic. Everybody’s just happy to turn up, give it everything he has and I think – if there is one – that’s the secret.
“Yes, we have a phenomenal car; yes, the car has been mostly very, very reliable but I think it’s the mindset we have going in, really trying to give it everything we have, not miss a single step, wow to, after the race, not to turn around and think that there was a little bit left here, a little bit left there. Another very, very, very strong weekend. I think people tend to forget that every single weekend is a challenge on its own. It’s not eight weekends as a whole. It’s every single weekend. And to have such an incredible run, it’s very difficult to realise.”
Vettel made some interesting comments about Schumacher.
“Well, in a way I think I have the same approach as him, as probably every sportsman. I don’t think we are jumping into the car to beat certain records. At his time, he was breaking a lot of records and many of them will last forever, I think. To come even close and today to beat one of those is exceptional. I think, as a sportsman, you don’t jump into the car to break records and equally you don’t expect them to last forever.
“I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago and generally, I think he’s very happy with what he has achieved and seemed fairly relaxed. I think he’s riding a lot of horses lately so he’s quite happy to go karting with his kids and enjoying his life after Formula One. There’s a huge part of our lives if you consider that there’s a lot of years left once we retire. It’s good to enjoy those as well.”
Adam Cooper F1 
So will the FIA bother to take anything other the German and Austian national anthems to Sao Paulo?
As is said, over and over again, it is impossible to compare different eras. Well done to Sebastian and Red Bull for producing an outstanding car and having a driver who drives it almost perfectly. Poor Rocky asking him to slow down must be a constant irritant to so many ears along the pit wall.
There is no point in Michael minding if Sebastian breaks his records, they were never presented as the ultimate, and Michael had a very different team, car, set up and, as far as my failing memory allows, gifted wins to Rubens after he had won the championship, by way of a “thank you”, something, I feel, Sebastian is never going to do for Mark.
Loti
I don’t know the exact rules, but if I was the Steward, I’d considered penalizing Vettel for how slow he went before SC restart; waaaay too slow and dangerous. I’m very surprised no one ran into the back of a car. He must have been going 25kph max after the back stretch. Since he didn’t, imo, they need to change the rules. The field should have to follow the SC all the way to the pit in and only race from the last corner. Anything else is dangerous, silly, unexciting and ensures that the field will continue with zero passing at the restart. Can’t believe how slow he went there; Grosjean had to take avoiding action at one point; ridiculous.